By Riches Soberekon
Nigeria has cut off its electricity supply to Niger in accordance with sanctions imposed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) following the recent coup in the country.
The high-voltage line that carries electricity to Niger was disconnected on Tuesday, according to a source close to the management of the Nigerien Electricity Company (Nigelec).
The capital, Niamey, is still being supplied with electricity, thanks to local production, but many other parts of the country are likely to experience power cuts.
ECOWAS imposed a number of sanctions on Niger after the coup, including the freezing of all financial transactions, the suspension of economic and political cooperation, and the closure of borders.
“The sanctions will hurt our country very badly,” Nigerian Prime Minister Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou said on France 24 on Sunday, as sanctions are increasing internationally.
Niger is heavily dependent on Nigeria for its electricity supply.
In 2022, 70% of Niger’s electricity came from purchases from the Nigerian company Mainstream. Electricity is produced by the Kainji dam in western Nigeria.
The cut in electricity supply is a major blow to Niger, which is one of the poorest countries in the world. The country is already facing a number of challenges, including a food crisis and a growing security threat.
Niger is working to reduce its energy dependence on Nigeria. The country is building its own dam, the Kandadji dam, which is scheduled to be completed in 2025. The Kandadji dam is expected to generate 629 gigawatt hours (GWh) of electricity annually.
